Thalassaemia intermedia. Clinical and laboratory study. Therapeutic suggestions
Triadou, P.; Girot, R.; Lapoumeroulie, C.; Pomarede, R.; Constant, S.
La Nouvelle Presse Medicale 11(4): 253-256
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1518 PMID: 6173844 Document Number: 183806
The clinical and laboratory criteria which distinguish thalassaemia intermedia (T.I.) from thalassaemia major were analyzed in a series of 30 patients with homozygous beta- thalassaemia, 8 of whom had T.I. The appearance of the first symptoms after the age of 2 years, the moderate spleen enlargement, the haemoglobin levels approaching 8 g/100 ml and the response to moderate transfusions over 1-year observation period were in favour of T.I. Since patients who had transfusions were clinically better than those who had none, it is suggested that T.I. patients should be treated with regular transfusions and iron chelating agents.